Reply To: Here Goes Nothing… Critique (+ Intro)

[JimC]

Hey Andrew,

I thought I’d throw my two bits in here. I think by large you’re heading in the right direction. Your images are overall very good, and several of your sports shots are magazine-quality photography.

One thing I noticed in several of your shots is that you sometimes tend to cut people in half, right at the waist. The rule of thumb I’ve always heard that has helped me immensely is “don’t cut someone off at a joint” in other words, necks, elbows, wrists, waists, knees, ankles, are places I try to avoid chopping people apart at.

Also, years ago when I was apprenticing as a camera operator in a TV studio, there’s a phrase that my mentor/producer would yell to me over the headphones that still helps me today as I tinker on still cameras. It was simply “watch your head room”. In other words, keep an eye on how much space is between a person’s head and the top of your frame. There are a few photos I noticed where I think you were trying to stick to the rule of thirds (which is important, no doubt!) but as a result of the way the shot was framed, there’s sort of an awkward amount of space above people’s heads. Not enough to write off as “negative space”, but too much not to notice. Some of these are the same shots where people got cut off at the waists, which I think can contribute to that. Don’t forget that all photography rules, even the rule of thirds, can be “bent” a bit. Knowing when and how far to bend them takes a lot of practice, but you’re young, you’ve got the time 😀

I could nitpick a little more, but honestly, that’s all I’m doing. Overall, your photos are very good. With the very smallest bit more experience you’d probably be able to “go pro” and smoke 99% of the fauxtogs of the world. To me, it looks like photography is something you take seriously though, and I get the idea you want to be the best you can. That in itself puts you light years ahead of most people. It’s HARD to let other people pick on your work, but it’s how we all learn. Sooner or later I’ll post some of my less embarrassing photos here, and I hope I’ll receive positive, constructive criticism that doesn’t patronize me so I can get better at this and maybe someday get to where my photography is as good as my video work was. (Long story short: I was in video production for over a decade and a half. I left that to help kids in a non-profit, and so I took on photography as a hobby to keep my visual arts side alive.)

Keep up the good work, and don’t stop learning!

Oh, before I forget, regarding your friends: I won’t dig in too deep, since they aren’t here and didn’t ask for my constructive feedback, but in short, it’s best you teach them what they can, but keep your friendship just that – a friendship. I ran my own video production business for years, and not taking a partner was the best decision I made in that business. A financial guru I’ve heard a few times on the radio has a catch phrase that “The only ship that won’t sail is a partnership.” and especially in this case, it’s true. Bri has a lot of potential. If Alec could hold his camera straight he might have some hope someday, but with both of them, you would be putting yourself in a bad spot by partnering with either. Partners are equal, and their work is not equal to yours. Besides, business can ruin friendships. My advice: Spend a few more years really tightening down your photographic awesomeness, learn everything you can, figure out what kind of photography you want to do all the time, and then hang up your own shingle and go for it. As is, you could probably do it, but again, you seem like someone who actually wants to be the best they can, and that mentality will make you one of the best. Keep it up!